Cygnet Gigabit Ethernet Switch Offers Layer 3 Performance, Reduced Port Cost; Switch is First to Break $2000/$250 Per Port Price With LDAP, XML Capability.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

LEWISVILLE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2001

Cygnet Technologies Inc., the leading developer and marketer of edge communications systems using Gigabit Ethernet, VDSL and HPNA technologies, announced today that the new management features and lower price of its Enterprise Gigabit Ethernet switch will provide users with robust Layer 3 IP switching and additional capabilities from software hooks into XML and LDAP.

The 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch is designed to enable enterprises, co-location facilities and Gigabit Ethernet Metro IP carriers to seamlessly deliver broadband services with an intelligent but economical solution for today's demanding end-users.

Cygnet's Enterprise Gigabit Ethernet switch provides customers the needed flexibility of a small form-factor with complete interoperability within their existing network equipment, which allows for easy, quick upgrades of legacy equipment. Currently in production, the list price of the Enterprise is $1,995.00U.S. or $249 per port. This price makes the switch among the least expensive Layer 3 switches on a per port cost. Ideal for both LAN and WAN networks, the intelligent switch is designed for networks in education, military, government, hospitality, and commercial and residential building implementations. The Enterprise is sold through major distributors and the Cygnet Web site, www.CygnetTechnologies.com.

"Cygnet's strategy is to leverage its product design strength and market knowledge to offer customers both performance and price in an easily deployed high-speed Gigabit Ethernet switch," said Charles Maricle, Ph.D., vice president of Cygnet Technologies. "Our innovations allow us to provide layer 3 functionality at layer 2 prices. Extensive market and customer research indicates that users are demanding more intelligent devices with XML, LDAP and Web interface capabilities because their administrators must manage a variety of billing and other network applications. Cygnet's Unified Management Access software embedded into the switch adds that robustness to the current scalability and flexibility."

Cygnet's Unified Management Access (UMA) embedded software architecture improves bandwidth provisioning, levels of service and allocation, quality of service and seamless delivery of broadband Internet content, all features deemed critical by network administrators and managers responsible for creating new revenue models. UMA's integration with Novell's NDS eDirectory product enables the automatic provisioning of network devices, which increases human productivity while reducing the number of on-site visits needed to service existing users and activate new ones. The unique combination of standards-based access mechanisms and a variety of user interfaces results in reduced training and administrative costs, reduced by smart device management and remote updates and upgrades of hardware. Costs are further reduced by smart device management and remote updates and upgrades of hardware.

Service providers and commercial enterprises can install the Enterprise switch in a number of applications, including as an aggregation point because it offers both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality. It provides full auto-negotiation for 10 megabits, 100 megabits or 1 gigabit data rates. Currently available features are Layer 2 switching, Layer 3 IP switching, VLAN forwarding, LDAP, BOOTP, STP, GMRP, GVRP, RIP v 1/v2. The Enterprise switch supports self-learning and address resolution for up to 8,000 unicast addresses. Its filtering and forwarding capabilities are at wire speed at 10,100 or 1000 Mbps, on all ports.

According to a recent report by Cahners In-Stat group, the worldwide market for Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet is growing at a compound rate of more than 55 percent annually. It is expected to reach more than $24 billion in sales by 2004, Cahners reported.

About Cygnet Technologies Inc.:

Cygnet Technologies Inc. develops and markets edge communications systems to enable the broadband needs of the multi-dwelling unit, multi-tenant unit, single-family residential, campus and high-speed office markets. Cygnet's edge communications systems consist of access concentrators, bridge remote units and switches using VDSL, HPNA and Gigabit Ethernet technologies that operate over copper wire. The systems are sold to OEMs, service providers and system integrators globally. Cygnet Technologies' feature-rich core software improves the time to market of the systems, and Unified Management Access(TM) software architecture provides companies the ability to reduce administrative and equipment costs. www.CygnetTechnologies.com